FG approves new rules for honorary doctorate awards

The Federal Government has implemented new guidelines to regulate the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees, seeking to address growing concerns over their abuse and commercialization. The policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council and developed by the National Universities Commission, aims to strengthen academic integrity and transparency within Nigerian universities.

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The Federal Government has approved comprehensive Guidelines for the Award and Use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigeria to strengthen academic integrity, transparency, and the credibility of the university system.

Under the revised rules, only universities that have graduated their first set of PhD students are eligible to confer honorary doctorates. Furthermore, institutions are now limited to a maximum of three honorary awards per convocation ceremony. A key provision is that all honorary degrees must be designated "Honoris Causa," and recipients are prohibited from using the title "Dr." solely based on the honorary award.

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All honorary degrees must carry the designation ‘Honoris Causa,’ and recipients are prohibited from using the title “Dr,”

Universities are also mandated to publish the names of honorary degree recipients, provide orientation for awardees, and establish clear procedures for revoking awards if necessary. The government has introduced oversight mechanisms, including a monitoring unit under the NUC, to enforce compliance. Institutions that fail to adhere to these guidelines risk sanctions, which may include the suspension of accreditation activities and the dissolution of governing councils.

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Universities are required to publish recipients’ names, provide orientation to awardees, and implement revocation procedures where necessary.